NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 846, 21 March 1903, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last. uight. Arrived : s.s. Ovalua from the Eastern Paeilie. She reports that the total loss of life in the late hurricane in the Paumotos and Marquesas groups was 51)9. The Government schooner Countess of Ranlurly was a b Raratonga on March 12, and was to leave next day for' Auckland.

The Star’s Raratonga corresponde-

nt reports that the tidal wave which

visited the Paumotus was felt in the northern islands. At Taulua and Penryhn the sea broke completely over the island into the lagoon, and in some parts the small coral rockbeach frontage to the sea was denuded to a depth of about ten feet. At Manihiki the sea washed into the mam road, but no actual damage was sustained. The American Odfeilows Grand Lodge session has concluded. Additional officers appointed were grand chaplain, Bro. Onniston (Oamaru) grand marshal, Bro. Rutter (Wellington), grand guardian, Bro PTance (Palmerston North) ; grand conductor Bro. McCullough (Christchurch), grand herald Bro. Swap (Invercargill). The next session was fixed foil 1905 at Wellington. Important amendments of the constitution include the centralisation of the sick fluid, which the Grand Lodge Executive secures after 11 years agitation on the subject. Reaekah Lodges were refused representation on the Grand Lodge, hut will have a special assembly,with restrictive legislative powers At the enquiry into the charges against John King, Mr Fowlds, M.H.R., said it was noteworthy that a large number or persons who had been omitted from the Grey Lynn and City rolls were either members of the temperance party or supporters of his candidature. If there were an equal number on the other side, then apart from the [question of corrupt practice, there was evidence of incompeteney. Mr Haseldeu said that the most careful men made mistakes. It was a question of number. Thos. Jones said that lie had experienced considerable dilfieulty in getting his name transferred to the Grey Lynn - roll, until he secured an order from the Revision Court. Since the election he had been notified that lie had been struck oil as a non-voter, though he recorded his vote at the general election'

WAIROA, yesterday

C. p. Ingram, a farmer of Opoiti, has been committed to the Supreme Court at Napier for stabbing a horse with a pitch-fork. The animal was in a shocking condition. Bail was allowed,

Mr Hursthou.se, Chief Engineer of Roads, accompanied by Mr McMillan, Engineer for Hawke’s Bay inspected the Frasertown bridge site this morning, and then went on to Waikaremoana.

STRATFORD, last night.

W. M. Woodward, secretary to the Taranaki Sawmillers’ Association, has been arrested and remanded on a charge of embezzling the funds of the Association. It is understood that the amount involved is nearly fifteen hundred pounds. NEW PLYMOUTH, last night. The Egrnont licensing election is uiicontested. For Taranaki there are ten candidates, five pledged to ten o’clock licenses, and the others' unpledged.

WELLINGTON, u,st night. The admiral of the Australian station has communicated to the University of New Zealand the offer of a commission in the Navy Medical Service to New Zealand. Applicants roust be qualified medical practitioners between the ages of 21 and 28. The successful applicant must he prepared to proceed Home at once.•••Some eight persons who had their names placed on the Newtown electoral roll before they were qualified were fined ten shillings and costs by the Stipendiary Magistrate this morning. In most cases tile defendants erred iu ignorance.- The cases were a sequel to ithe Newtown local option petition.

LYTTELTON, last night. —'Hie squadron arrived this morning. Admiral Fanshawe, after being oflicially welcomed, proceeded to Dunedin by special train. He returns' to Christchurch on Sunday. WESTPORT, last night. Ten candidates have been nominated for the Bidler Licensing Committee. All the local bodies arc co-operat-ing in the Soldiers’ Grave Guild movement.

Coal lowering on the Denniston incline has been temporarily stopped, owing to repairs to the machinery. Exceptionally bad weather has been experienced on the coast all this week and shipping movements have been hampered.